MNLF storms Zamboanga

MNLF leader Nur Misuari addressing his followers in Sulu and announcing that the group is breaking away from the government. Photos By Al Jacinto

ZAMBOANGA CITY: Six people were killed and scores wounded when hundreds of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) fighters laid siege on Zamboanga City Monday.

Police and military reports said heavily armed followers of MNLF leader and founder Nur Misuari arrived on boats before dawn and launched the attacks by sunrise, catching the police and military by surprise.

The MNLF fighters fanned out to several barangays in preparation for an assault on the city hall, where they plan to raise the MNLF banner, reports said.

Soldiers patrol a neighborhood in Zamboanga City on Monday. AFP Photo

Schools, shops and other establishments in the city were closed, and flights to and from Zamboanga City were cancelled.

“The rebels fired several rocket propelled grenades on civilian areas and two hit a school in downtown area and it’s just lucky that no people were killed in the random attacks,” one policeman said, adding gunmen took positions in civilian houses and made it difficult for security forces to launch an assault.

One rocket hit the regional office of the National Statistics Office, but no casualties were reported.

“I saw the rebels take positions on the side of the road just several blocks away from the regional hospital and they fired a rocket on the soldiers, but missed them,” one security guard said.

One woman said she saw young rebels firing automatic weapons at the soldiers who were securing the hospital.

“There were all young fighters, probably 16 or17 years old and I was so scared,” she said.

One uniformed MNLF fighter, who was positioned near Santa Barbara village, told local radio network Radyo Agong his group came from Sulu province and were led by Haber Malik, a lieutenant of Misuari. He said they were fighting for independence.

Misuari ran for governor in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) in May but lost. He also ran thrice as governor in Sulu in previous years but was repeatedly defeated.

MNLF legal counsel and spokesman Emmanuel Fontanilla said the MNLF elements that raided Zamboanga was part of the advance party of Misuari who will be visiting the city.

Misuari, Fontanilla said, planned to go around Mindanao to consult the people on his declaration of independence, without resorting to violence.

The spokesman called on a third party like the Organization of Islamic Countries or the United Nations to intervene and prevent more bloodshed.

Fontanilla warned that unless the problem was addressed immediately it might spread to other cities and towns in Mindanao.

“It would be prudent for the OIC to intervene on this matter as it might escalate,” he said.

“We are not threatening but it could be worse than 1972. This will be more than that,” Fontanilla added, alluding to the bloody war waged by the MNLF against the government of President Ferdinand Marcos.

He also said the explanatory note of the government in relation to the peace process with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has deeply hurt the MNLF since it was made to appear that Misuari was no longer the legitimate representative of the Bangsamoro people.

In 2001, MNLF forces loyal to Misuari launched an attack in Zamboanga and the fighting left over 100 people dead.

On Monday, MNLF snipers were shooting at police and military targets.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Salazar suspended all classes in the city. She also said gunmen were holding at least 220 people in the villages.

But the Philippine National Police (PNP) denied the MNLF was holding 200 civilian hostages.

“There are 200 people stranded in Barangay Santa Calina . . . they cannot leave, but they are not hostages,” PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Wilben Mayor told a press briefing in Camp Crame.

Salazar asked citizens to stay calm and stay inside their houses until the situation returned to normal.

More than 90 percent of commercial establishments in Zamboanga City were shuttered throughout the day.

Reports indicated that more than 300 MNLF fighters occupied several villages.

The PNP national operations center in Camp Crame said the MNLF rebels swooped down on the villages of Rio Hondo, Santa Barbara, Santa Catalina and Mariki.

The MNLF fighters also declared Misuari as “president,” reports said.

Fontanilla said in a radio interview MNLF forces controlled seven villages in Zamboanga City.

Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman, said the lone soldier who was killed belonged to the Naval Special Operations Group that tried to hold off MNLF fighters who were advancing on Rio Hondo.

Zagala said the military received intelligence information three days ago that MNLF forces were planning a mass rally in Zamboanga similar to the one they held in Davao last month, but it was only last night that they learned that the group planned to storm Zamboanga City.

Zagala said troops were sent to the city proper to foil MNLF plans to attack the city hall.

He said about 20 MNLF fighters herded 20 people at the Caitangyan area in the coastal barangay of Sta. Catalina, about one to two kilometers from the city hall.

Zagala said the MNLF might be planning to use the civilians as human shields.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and Interior Secretary Mar Roxas flew to Zamboanga City for a firsthand look at the situation.

PAL said passengers booked on cancelled flights may arrange for a rebooking or refund with any PAL or PAL Express ticket office. Cebu Pacific advised its affected passengers to rebook their flights within 30 days, or opt for a full refund.

6 Comments

Obviously, Zamboanga siege seen an intelligence flap. The government authorities underestimated the capability of the MNLF bandit of Chairman Nur Misuari, resulting to the Zamboanga City siege.

The MNLF faction movements in Zamboanga are a massive failure of intelligence. What happened to the intel budget of the DILG and the Philippine National Police, Somebody’s sleeping beauty on the job. Wake up please!

Recently, the DILG has been criticized for having a bigger chunk in intelligence fund as compared to the Department of National Defence (DND) or the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

In the 2014 proposed national budget, the DILG is asking for P360 million, while the DND only has P246 million earmarked for intelligence support.

Historically, zamboanga city is always using as pilot area to divert political issues.

Immediately need to re-arrest Misuari for being responsible on the zamboanga siege. Put him back to Muntinlupa for life. He is a troublemaker!

With his influential activity in some countries of the muslim world, he thinks he is still in control of his vision for the bangsamoro land dreams.

Military and police intelligence should be vigilant on this bandit group who are fighting for years to achieve their own interests.

It is very clear they want a new state, increase areas of coverage for bangsamoro land.

This time they have caused collateral damages to the people of zamboanga.

Its time to crash them rather listen them and this problem will continue again and again for years to come. They cannot be trusted because they do not respect the philippine authorities and its territorial laws.

In the Philippines today, the innocent civilians are always the victims. The government during Ramos presidency signed a peace agreement with MNLF chaired by Nur Misuari. It was a good start in our quest for lasting peace in Mindanao. But Pnoy set aside MNLF and said ARMM was a “failed experiment.” He talked to MILF beginning from zero again. Maybe after Pinoy and Jejomar Binay or Mar Roxas will be the next president they will talk to another group like Abu Sayyaf and set aside the agreements with the MILF and will say another failed experiment by Pnoy. Pnoy is sincere but maybe he was ill-adviced by his people. with zamboanga incident, all peace advisers must resign. they dont deserved to be peace advisers.

It’s difficult for foreigners to understand the grief and disagreements on both sides of the MNLF, MILF, NPA, etc., vs. the government.

One issue is the language barrier for us.

The other is informing and educating and presenting us with the issues and needs and wants that would or could allow peace for all.

So many are caught in the middle and life on earth should be a wonderful loving experience requiring and allowing all sides to enjoy happiness.

Can someone provide us with a website that explains all issues.

It is clear there is historical priorities and cultural and religious practices that cannot be ignored.

If only all peoples could love and respect one another.

As a foreigner some us know that it is imperative to respect and honor the Philippines and all of the Filipino people. Those of us here not to exploit the Philippines are here to be part of family and want the best, with prosperity and happiness and health for all people and the inevitable move to eliminate poverty.

So Misuari and the MNLF is irrelevant huh, PNoy? Now, Llamas and the new CJ Marvic Llonen will have to answer for their recommendations. PNoy should have listened to Kiram and asked the advice of Misuari before listening to the two. Now, PNoy will be facing more problems because he is just too proud to listen to others.